The Sun. — London, England, 1836-02-19 00:00:00

Peassw— LONDON AND BIRMINGHAM RAILWAY. (From ote• last night's Second Edition.) 'This morning a G.eicral Half-yearly Meeting of the Pro prietors of the above P.ailway, was held in the City of London 'Tavern. I ear SOLLY, Esq., took the Chair at Twelve o'clock. He observed that the proprietors had been counted, and it was found that there were more:than 40 present, so that the meet ing was constituted. The SECRETARY here r ea d th e Report for the half-year just passed. He then read the general Report of the Direc tors,_ which stated that th e 21 miles next to London woe! be be opened in the ensuing spring. Ten miles more would be ready in the summer, and according to the contracts, and the report of the engiAteer, the whole line Noulll be completed in the summer of 1838. The Report then referred to the raisi ng the :year, and the call o f 10 per a loan for th e expence s of cent. upo'a the-shares, which is referred to after. The 'CHAIRMAN said the meeting had now been put in pos sessie,a of the actual state of the affairs of the Company up to 31st of December last. The Directors were happy to SP.y that, so far as they weie aware, everything was going tin as satisfactorily as they could desire. It was evident that the public were pleased with the manner in which the work was proceeding, as was abundantly proved by a look at the Stock Market. It was in fact a work of the grandest de scription; and although the London and Birmingham Com pany were only followers of the Manchester Company, they were now setting a useful example to the country. They had heard by the Report which had just been read, that it was necessary to adopt measures for the purpose of raising a sufficient sum of money, to meet the current expenses for the year, By the Act of Parliament, the Company were em powered to raise money by way of loan, whenever 50 per cent, had been paid up. That had now been done, and of course they now had the power of raising a loan—this, how eNer, was for the consideration of the proprietors. The Direc tors, at the same time, had thought it necessary t o m a k e a ca.II of ten p er cent. upon the shares. He hoped the Report would meet the approbation of the meeting, and he begged leave to subalit it for their approval. The Report was thee agreed to. The CHAIRMAN then proposed the next resolution, viz.— "That the Directors have power to take up certain sums of money by way of loan, in conformity with the provisions of the Act of Parliament." The resolution was unanimously agreed to. The CHAIRMAN.—The next point to which I must call the attention of the meeting is the selection of six Directors, to fill up the vacancy occasioned by the six Directors retiring. be_ cording to the Act of Parliament. Mr. IIAYWORTH would take that opportunity t' avail himself of the privilege given by the Act of Parliame'et. The matter had been much discussed in Lancashire, a: a d they thought it right to avail themselves of this oppor t :aeity nt moving that in lieu of the six Directors balloted °ea, the following gentlemen should be elected to fill the situation of Directors of the Company. The names he 'eroposed were Mr. Edward Bilston, of Liverpool, Mr. Hull, of Liverpool, Mr. Berry, of London, Mr. James Pierson__. of Birmingham, Mr. Joseph W a lk er , o f Birmingham, and, Mr. Rathbone, of Liverpool. Mr. A RMSTRONG—In risiag to second the resolution, said he did so after giving it the most serious attention. Placed on the deputation from Liverpool, and being a large shareholder, ' his interest would naturally induce him to support any resolu tion which he knew to be for the mutual benefit of the con cern. He telt great pleasure in seconding the resolution. Mr. ROLLS did not know what might be the opinion of the gentlemen of Liverpool, but hc knew the custom of London, and in the whole course of his life, in all Directions in which he had been engaged, he had never known such a proposal made as the present. wh ere th e Di rectors had conducted themselves property, weal, and to th e utmost o f their power for the advan tage of o . .te affairs committed to their care—it had not been the 9e!tom at any time that he had ever heard of, Without seine spee'aic charge that they had neglected that duty, or from so%ne other unfortunate cause which should place them in a position in which they could not respectively carry forward their affairs, and perform their duty. It was only fair to state whakwere the grounds of removing the present gentlemen— ( Hear, hear)—or what misconduct on their part :iintified the step proposed to be taken ? He could only sty that he did believe such a step would be extremely detrimental to the interests of the proprietors at large_,a n d for this reason, that it would have the effect of retarding the execution of this great work. It would also have the effect of creating divi sions among those who were hereafter to have the con ducting .of the work, and bring it to an early conclusion.— (Hear, hear.) With that view he now hoped that the proprietors would think it right to return those Directors against whom there was not the slightest charge. Mr. Booenee said the change which it was proposed to make in the direction was not directed invidiously against any one of these who, by the regulations of the Act, went out of erfice. They went out by ballot, and were not selected by the Directors. The proprietors in Lancashire were four-fifths of the entire--he might say five-sixths. They have at present but three in the Direction. The Court in London consisted of eleven members, having but 110 shares, an amount not equal to the influence they possess in the Board. That was, he thought, not a sufficient sum to ensure that zeal in carrying on the affairs of the Company which was necessary to the success of the undertaking. He repeated, it was not intended to make any invidious objection to the Directors going out ; but the pro -prietors in Lancashire wished to be properly represented in the Board. It was some time ago intimated to the Lond on B oar d t h at such was the desire of th e proprietors in Lancashire, and that they wished it to be acted upon when occasional opportunities would arise. The London Board consisted of eleven mem ' bers—not of ten, as was authorized by the Act; and the shareholders in Lancashire had no other cause than that now proposed to protect their interests, and to forward the success of the undertaking. Mr. RATIIRONE of Liverpool beard with regret the proposi. tion now made. The proprietors, he believed, did not desire any change in the Direction; and with respect to one of the gentlemen named by the mover of the resolution, he thought he was not disposed.to act as a Director. He believed some • difficulty existed in the way of making the election at present, and until those difficulties were removed, it Would not be well to proceed with the proposition. He was sure the Board of Directors would not fail, whenever an opportunity might occur, to take the wishes of the Lancashire proprietors into consideration. For the gentlemen proposed he had the highest opinion ; for three of them he possessed the warmest friendship. He hoped Mr. Hayworth would not persevere in his resolution ; for its effect would only be to create division in a company which, under the present management, had progressed so rapidly in public estimation, and the affairs of which had been so very , prosperous. _ • Nfr. Ron Ear iI:IARNETT, of Manchester, filling as he did the office of Director, did not intend to have taken any part in the present proceedings. He confessed, however, he was not pre pared for the sweeping proposition just made. He thought that some slight change might be necessary, but he should certainly feel it his duty to oppose a measure like the present, because he believed it was fraught with the worst consequences to the Corporation. Mr. EDWARD CROPPER, of Liverpool, thought it would be most prejudicial to the prosperity of the Corporation if this measure should be adopted. He was free to admit that the shareholders of Manchester ought to I:Je better represented ; but the course adopted by the gentlemen from Lancashire was anything but calculated to proc.ote the interests of the pro prietors of the undertaking.. Mr. Was. GARNETT said that the proposition before the Meeting was one of a very serious nature, and involved a principle whieh in his judgment would be dangerous to the success of the undertaking. He fully concurred in the opinion of the Chairman, that the estimation in which this Corporation was held on the Stock Exchange was the best test of public opinion in favour of the manner in which its affai..s were conducted. He should indeed deeply lament that any thing should occur to sow dissension amongst themselves, :and thereby diminish public confidence in the undertaking ; and it was because he believed that the present proposition would have this effect that be now opposed it. He trusted the gentlemen from Lancashire would not interrupt the harmony which had hitherto prevailed amongst the proprietary, but would by withdrawing the resolution, cement that union which was so essential to the prosperity and success of the undertaking. lie had heard that morning, that some change was - to take place, and that tine of the old Directors would retire ; but he confessed ho did not expect any such proposition as had been submitted to them. A PROPRIETOR expressed hisconfidence in the old Directors, and helieved the opinion of the majority of the proprietors was in favour of their continuance. Mr. S. WARRING, of Bristol, expressed his conviction of the necessity which existed for a strong resident directory in London. It had not been insinuated that the directors had not discharged their duty, and he could not see upon what ground their removal was sought for. He trusted that the mover of the resolution would have the good taste and good feeling to withdraw it. • Mr. JONES YEATES, as a very humble proprietor. 'begged to ask for information upon one or two point°. Had the Liver pool gentlemen given their assistance to thb Directors either by their correspondence or by the:;. attendance ? He would also be glad to kilow the ef.ent of the interest which the new list of Directors held, In the shares of the Company as cont pared with tha .•••• of the old Directors ? He bad the pleasure of knowirig some of the gentlemen, and he entertained a high opiniSn of their integrity and ability ; but unless he heard same better reason than had been advanced for the removal of the old Directors, and the substitution of those proposed, he for one would vote against the proposition---( Hear, hear.) Mr. HATWORTH begged to know if any other gentleman had an obser;atiort to offer, othErwise he should reply to the oppo sers tf his proposition. 'The LORD MAYQ.;t, rig a Director, begged, before the mover of the resolution replied, to make a few observations. It ap peared to him, from what had fallen from the supporters of the present proposition, that the chief objection raised against the old Directors, whom it was never sought to remove, was the smallness of the interest they possessed. Now, really it ap peared to him that gentlemen who had devoted so large a por tiohof of r ti re e, and anxious attention, to promote the interests the Company,urged, and again s t whom not the slightest charg e cou ld b e o uld be set aside on the ground that had been urged.—( He ar , hear.) If this course . wcr; to be adopted, and if such a principle was to be sanctioned, it would strike the axe at the root of that great institution,-and inflict a serious injury on the interests of the Proprietors. For his part be would say, in the whole course of his experience, lie never witnessed so uncalled for, or uncourteous a proceeding. No objection had been made to the Report ; it was received and approved of by the meeting, and yet the gentlemen who had conducted the affairs of the Company with so much success, and with so much satisfaction to the shareholders, were now to be displaced I He did not mean to cast any imputation on the gentlemen who had been proposed to succeed them. He believed them to be most respectable gentlemen, and for aught he knew, might possess a larger interest is the Corri aim), than the old Directors ; hut of ;Lis he Was certain ; that ' a point of zeal, atteeticra and anxiety to patthote the pro ?erns- of the Company, the old Directors could not be el eeeded. As far as Its a the Lord asia . )or) was a sseees naa l, he ',egged to Fay, that from the imroataaae of Isis official and private eccupations, he faaetla it necessary to retire from that direction of tba Company ; all it WM ft`a't ! l ate:idol) at this meeting to place his eat sat lee aispoaal of the body of nt be supposed that he was iadueed poprictors, and le t ;t it MAt to take this etka‘. irons any want of confidence in hid hienhet Directreas, h e had l further to add, that within the last feW hours i'as had made a very considerable addition to his steek.--a. (Hear, hear.) This was the best proof he could give of his confidence in the gentlemen with whom he had beers hitherto associated in managing the affairs of tar: Company.—( Hear.) He would put it broadly to the meeting—did they suppose that the Gentleinen on the Direction were at all influenced by the. paltry stun o 1001. a vear which they received? Were they, then, to he turned out, aterely because they were pre. prietors o f on l y ten or twenty shares, and without:tba ast imputstion on their conduct ? If Way were to be turned Om in thia way without nottca, It would be the greatest bloa the. undertaking had Over got. He had the honour to be con nected with many of the Corporations of London, and he un dertook to say that there never was such a course taken in any one of them. In feet, at the Bank of England it was not wished that a Director should hold more than his qualification, so that the Mover of the resolution had no ground to stand on: He most earnestly called upon the meeting to reject the prop aldose and re-elect the three gentlemen who were now ballotted out. If gentlemen were to be cast away ha this way, they would deprive the other Directors of that zeal with which they were now actuated. l'here was no precedent lf ' turning out gentlemen, against nhom no imputatin' as cast. Mr. GLYNe (Director) wiehed to put the meeting in poss.es sion of one fact, bef ore th e rep l y was made. He would say, without fear of contra :fiction, that had it not been for the London Direction, they would not then have met in that room. Had it not been for the London Direction, the Bills would never have been got—(Cheers) — an d the deputation from Lancashire would not have had the honour of addressing them to-day. He did not mean to deny the assistance they had had from Birming ham, but he was sure that no one could contradict what he had said. He knew the gentlemen had come from 'Lancashire with instructions in their pockets; but he hoped they were so far left unfettered as to be able now to withdraw the motion. Mr. P. GnaNIELL (Director) did not take the matter per sonal to himself; but he would put it to the meeting whether, if they removed him from the Direction, it would tend to en. tourage these who were left behind ?—(Cheers.) He had attended at every Board, and had even devoted his leisure hours to inspecting the works.—( Hear, hear.) He had never before sat at any Board; but he was certain that no men with more zeal for the undertaking could be put on the Direction than those now there; and they were always most anxious to do all in their power to meet the wishes of the Lancashire proprietors. Mr. Coox most cordially agreed with the mover of this re solution. He thought that the Lancashire proprietors ought to have a stronger voice than they possessed in the Director ship. He regretted th r t there was not a greater number of Lancashire proprietors here, and they would have heard a greater number of voices in favour of this proposition. He hoped that, notwithstanding what they had heard, the Mover would not withdraw his motion. He should be exceedingly sorry to go to Lancashire to report such a proceeding. In conclusion, he would only say that it would meet his support. Mr. Wm. GARNETT was also a Lancashire proprietor, yet had never heard of such a proposal as this.--( Loud cries of " Bravo.") He would take upon himself to say this—that the Lancashire proprietary would regret to hear of such a proposition.—(Renewed cries of " Bravo.") Mr. RATIMONE complained that the resolution was con trary to the understanding that had been come to at the pre vious meeting. Mr. HAYWORTII rose to reply. Instead of the'shares falling by reason of this resolution, he was quite sure that if carried it would raise ten per cent. the actual value of stock imme diately.—( Cries of " Oh.") Why slid he say so ? Because it would place the Directorship upon a sure and certain basis of profit and success to the Company on which they ought to stand. He had given the Directors credit for industry and honesty by proposing a vote of thanks ; but he felt that they were wanting in one particular, viz., that they were not the representatives of ti.e great proprietorship of the undertaking. It was utterly impossibile—it was contradictory to the prin ciples cf nature, that those who had not a large stake in the business, should be able to meet all the contingencies of so large an undertaking.--( Hear.) An individual who possessed only ten shares could not feel that deep interest which a man who possessed one thousand shares would naturally feel. A delay of a single month would cause a loss of 2001. in interest alone. It was said that the success of this undertaking was the result of the management of the Directors. Now, he denied this, and would assert, that it was owing to the merits of the undertaking itself.—( Hear, hear.) The undertaking was certain to produce an immense revenue.—( Hear, hear.) There was proof of this in the state of the rail-road between Manchester and Liverpool, and whoever the Directors might have been, unless they were totally devoid of principle, the re sult would have been the same. They had not come to a de cision in the way that was represented—it was only upon the reflexion of weeks, months, and years, they had done so. It had been taken into consideration for a great length of time, and after fully considering the advantages and disadvantages 'on both sides, they had come to this decision. He, therefore, would not withdraw his motion.—( Hear, hear, hear.) It was very far from his intention to cast any reflexion on the Gentleman who had been balloted out. They had been fairly balloted .out, and the Legislature had provided that if any advantage resulted from the re-election or non-election of the Directors they were to act for the good of the undertaking, and were not to consult the feelings of individuals. He did not wish to hurt the feelings of individuals whom he respected sincerely, but if advantages resulted from other appointments, be could not expect that they would oppose so good a measure. Mr. GARNETT, of Manchester, said he and his family held eleven hundred shares. He was a Director in Manchester, and he could say, had it been known there that such a proposi tion would be made, he would have come armed with proxies of at least nine-tenths of the Manchester proprietors, to be used in opposition to it. The Gentleman who moved the resolution might have a number of proxies at his disposal, by which the present Meeting might be overwhelmed ; but he (Mr. Garnett) could Lay that the proposal came upon the pro prietors by surprise —he would not call it by the name of decep tion. He hoped the Mover and the deputation from Lancashire would pause before they pressed the resolution. Upon the principle of justice he suggested such a course, because, to the great bulk of the Lancashire proprietors the proposition was alto- gether unknown. The Lotto Mayon regretted that the Mover of the resolution had not favoured the Meeting in his opening speech with those arguments which he used in his reply, because they could then deal with them, while now they could not do so in the regular form of debate. But he was sure the meeting would not think him trespassing on their attention by remarking upon the gentleman's arguments. He doubted the sincerity of his assertion, when he said that the Lancashire proprietors had no hostility to the outgoing Directors. Mr. Hayworth had not condescended to tell them what were the benefits he pro posed by a change in the Direction. He spoke of a saving in he expenditure of the Company ; but he has not found any fault on that head with the present Directors, and he jumped to the conclusion that the gentlemen whom he proposed, with their new lights, would bring about a considerable reduction in the expenditure.--( Hear, hear.) Upon that principle they might do without any Directors at all. He said that the shares would, if his proposition were agreed to, be raised fully ten per cent. Now, he would give the gen tleman his shares for five per cent., nay, for the amount at which he bought them yesterday. He hoped the deputation would pause and reflect upon the consequences of their propo sition being carried into effect. Mr. Tooxe had in many instances assisted in forming the constitution of public Companies; and from his experience, he was enabled to state, that great injury resulted to the inte rests of the Societies when the qualification of Directors was too high, because the men who possessed the most wealth and the laraest interest were not necessarily the most attentive to the duties of their office, while it often happened that men of great activity, talent, and ability, whose habits of business eminently calculated them to manage the affairs of public bodies, wee excluded by reason of the disqualification to which he had alluded.— ( Hear, hear.) Now the proposition of the Lancashire gentlemen was founded upon this erroneous principle, that the man who possessed the largest interest must of necessity be the best qualified. To this reasoning he could never subscribe.—(Hear, hear, and cheers.) There was yet another point to which he felt it necessary to advert. It so happened that there was not, he believed, Le might gay a single one of theaaald Directors who had not been solicited to accept the office, because it was found neces sary In seeder to carry the Bill through Parliament, to place on the directa u men whose names would be a guarantee against bribery ; and from the smallness of the shares which the gentlemen who had been chosen possessed, no such sus picion could attach to them. But he believed, notwithstand ieg the importance which was attached to gentlemen filling the office of Directors possessing a large interest, it did so happen that the gentlemen nominated to displace the old Directors are not very large proprietors. Mr.eflaywoaan did not mean to convey the idea that the possession of a large-number of shares was the only qualifica tion for a Director. The gentlemen whom he had the honour to propose had great practical experience in the management of railwas, and, in his opinion, their appointment would greatly tend to advance the interests of the Company. Mr. JOHN STraoE, of Birmingham, put it to the mover of the Resolution if he ,could, aft er w h a t h e had heard, in point of fairness, persevere in pressing his proposition ? A PROPRIETOR, th oug h res i ding in the neighbourhood , of Liverpool, had never until that day heard that it was intended to propose such a measure as the present. He believed if it was generally known, it would be strongly opposed by the Proprietors of Lancashire.— (Hear, hear, hear.) In his opinion that meeting ought not to come to any decision on the subject, until the feeling of the proprietors could be fairly ascertained. He would therefore propose an adjournment for a fortnight. Mr: C. MILLs (we understoood) seconded the motion for ad journment. The proposition of Mr. Hayworth was a novel one, and one which was not sanctioned in any public company. In the East India Company, of which he had the hc.nour to be a director, no such principle was recognised. Mr. JOHN LEWIS, as a director, begg e d t o say , t h at if h e possessed 1,000 shares in the Company, he could riot :have paid greater attent'on to its interests than be had done. _He con fessed he was anxious to continue in the Direction w:th the view to pronvite the prosperity of the Company. Mr. Coot( disclaimed, on the part of the Lancashire pro prietors, any personal feeling towards the old directors in pro - posing the new Directors. They only acted in conformity; w4ll a practice which had long prevailed in Lancashire. The enAlkmAN said the Directors had devoted the whole of their attention—th,rref a matter if surprise to them wheil 01 , 1 found that there. vi - ere or theM tlietight to be unworthy or a scat at the Boma. The Dire t eri vvo s ulti be piaced in a very :ittilr , n if the Meeting came to a delern ' hittti° to contrary to what had been the uniform. - e raetice. A PlIOP;IIETOR to 1317pit:10. 1-4 n fl-edu pool, - whAher P . 40. 414 iltAliMl' 6 ,. ,o . ll c w 1 .1 4 A 111.• ii Untie - Li He had hearu insta'netions f4iyen to the ttepittatimr, Which were only to insist upon the placing of one Directar of their Oivn nonilaatiou en the list.: He therefore asked the question, which he eO n tended he had a. right to put under the eireuMstanCes..., • Mr. HAVY/oriYit did re_Tl crilleti upon to antwer the ves'lion% Le reit convinced he was acting for alb benefit of tne whole Corporatioti.., Mr. GARN'ETT ittiliiiion he had sp , ,ken of n'as ,=‘,, called. by public advertisement. There o%c iii-ector to be changed. Any other rittetlng ha:e been a private coo. • The cp.tettion ni the adjournment of the election Or tile N.: r,:ctors ‘t: Is then put, and carried by a very large majority. Mr. Rotins (Director) moved that any proxies tendered on the question of adjournment be verified. The LORD M AYOR secon d e d t h e mot i on . They had seen the disingenuous way in which the question had been met, and they had a right to take any measures in their power to obtain the sense of the full proprietary. Mr. Harvroarn then tendered the proxies which he held. The CHAIRUAN Was placed in a situation in which no Chair man was ever placed before., He heid in his hand a motion proposing that all proxies should be examined, for the purpose of verifying the signatures. In the mean time he had been urged, in a manner whi c h sa id th a t h e mu st n o t put the ques tion, to receive proxies. He was not aware what was his duty under theze circumstances. The common sense of the thing wan that the proprietors at large should have such an opportu nity as the motion proposed, viz., that the proxies presented should be verified. He could not see that the object of either party could be counteracted by such a proposition—it would not prevent proxies horn having the effect they ought to have, Mr. Minus would persist in moving the adjournment if the other gentlemen persisted in deciding this question by proxies. It would be better fur the interests of the concern not to enter tain any such squabbles. BOOTIIBY, of Liverpool, said, that if such a course were pursued they must again apply to Parlia ment. If the proprietors in Lancashire, who possessed from 18,000 to 20,000 shares, were to be controlled by the proprietors of 1,000 shares in London—if they were compelled to attend from day to day—he would assure them that the proprietors of Lancashire would not allow them selves to be borne down by one-twentieth part of the pro prietorship. If such proceedings were tolerated, the pro prietors must take the ca„ duct of the concern into their own hands. Mr. GLYNN supported the motion for an adjournment. The LORD MAYOR would meet the thing in this way. It was asserted that the resolution of the proprietors of Liverpool was to select one gentleman to go out, and that the proxies were granted for that purpose ; he would ask, were those proxies to be used for another purpose ?—( Hear; hear.) Then the Hon. Gentleman talked of the 20,000 shares of Lance share, and the 1,000 held in London : he could tell him, that if he referred to the list of proprietors he would find himself mistaken.—( Hear, hear. ) _ A PROPRIETOR expressed his wish that the great body of the shareholders should be consulted on the subject, which could only be done by an adjournment of the question. One of the out-going Directors was about expressing his sentiments when— Mr. BOOTHBY said to save time, and seeing that a perse verance on - the part of the Deputation would be useless, he on their part would consent to the adjourment. Mr. HAYWORTH withdrew for the present the proxies which he had tendered. Mr. Boonanr begged to ask whether the Resolution passed by a body of the Manchester and Li v e r p oo l Proprietors, re specting the junction of the Western Railway with the Bir mingham and London line near London, had received the sanction of the Court of Directors ? And whether it was intended to continue for a longer period than two years, which was then contemplated ? He should move that the Resolution of the Directors be then read. The CHAIRMAN read the resolution of the Directors on this subject, kr. BOOTHBY read a resolution, signed by a large body of proprietors, expressive of their wish not to disturb at present the arrangement subsisting ; but hoping, when its term shall have expired, that the Company will receive a greater amount of remuneration than that agreed upon between the respective Companies. _ _ After a desultory conversation, the Secretary read the pro position made by the Western Railway respecting the station at Euston Grove. The CHAIRMAN said that there was not the slightest appre hension that any quantity of business that was likely to arise would encumber them. The LORD MAYOR protested against any resolution of the proprietors of Liverpool being taken as a resolution of the pro prietorship in general. The subjest then dropped. Mr. ARMSTRONG proposed the next resolution, viz., that Mr. Stevenson, the engineer, be requested to withdraw from all other engagements, and give up the whole of his time to the London and Birmingham Institution. Mr. BOOTHBY seconded the resolution. Mr. STEVENSON had no objection to the resolution. He was anxious not to enter into any thing pcompatible with the suc cess of the undertaking. Mr. BOOTHBY had no objection to allow Mr. Stevenson an additional sum of 1,0001. a-year on condition that he should give up his uninterrupted time to the business of the railroad. The resolution was agreed to be left to the Board. Mr. BOOTHBY suggested the propriety o f a ppointing a Committee to watch the progress of the various plans before Parliament, such as were likey to be beneficial to encourage, and such as were likely to be injurious to oppose. The CHAIRMAN said that the Directors had always attended to this suggestion, and would continue to do so. After a vote of thanks to the Chairman and the Directors, the Meeting adjourned to this day fortnight. THE suN, LoNnoN, VAIDAY, PEttituAßY IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS, FEIRILIRT 18. The LORD CHANCELLOR took his scat on the Wool sack at five o'clock. Lord ABINGER presented a petition in favour of Mr. Buckinaham's claims. Lord T EYNH A M postponed the presentation of the peti. tion from Brighton, relative to the administration of justice, as he understood the Noble Duke, the Lord Lieutenant for the county of Sussex, would not be in his place this evening. COMMUTATION OF TITHES. Lord D ACRE presented a petition from the owners and occu, piers of land, and the tithe-owners of the eastern division of the county of Kent, praying for a Commutation of Tithes. AGRICULTURAL DISTRESS. Lord WYNFO RD rose to move for the appointment of a Select Committee to take into consideration the distress of the agriculturists. As it was not the intention of the Noble Viscount at the head of his Majesty's Government to oppose the motion, he should not trouble their Lordships except by moving for the Committee in the same words as it was moved for in the House of Commons—that a Select Committee be ap pointed to inquire into the state of Agriculture, and into the causes and extent of the distress which pressed on some important branches thereof, and that the Committee should report their opinion thereon. Viscount MELBOURNE said, though it was not his inten tion or that of the Government to have moved for a Com mittee; yet it having been done by the Noble Lord, aver the recommendation which was in the Speech, it was impossible for him to offer any opposition to its appointment. Though the Government would not take the conduct of the Com mittee, they would be most happy to give it every assistance they had it in their power to do. They had introduced the paragraph in the Speech in consequence of the reports which had come to them from all parts of the country—of course the Government could not but be most anxious for the welfare of that tterest with which they were so intimately connected, and upon which the incomes of the greater part of them depended. He hoped the Committee would go into the question upon large and extended grounds, and though he did not oppoFe the appointnient of the Committee, he trusted they would abstain from all those wild and fantastic notions of relief which have been promulgated of late. Especially he trusted they would keep clear of that wild visionary form of relief which was said would flow from any tampering with the circulating me dium, or undervaluing the va l ue o f th e c i rcu l at i ng medium. To these Government was decidedly opposed, belie v i ng, they did, that anything of that kind would b e most fatal to the best interests of the country. It was to be remembered that the distress of the agricultural interest was not confined to this country. The Minister of Commerce, in addressing the Agricultural Committee in France, had used almost the same words as those used by his Majesty ; and so strong was the feeling in Holland, that it induced her to abrogate that which bad raised her to the pinnacle upon whi c h she now stood—free trade , and had induced her t o i mpose a duty upon the importation of grain. H e trusted that the Committee would consider all the laws relative to the importation of grain, and to the corn trade generally. He trusted also that they would remember that the agricultural interest depended upon the prosperity of the other interests of the country, and that when one trade sunk the agricul tural interest could not rise. It was a great and important question, and he t r usted it would be consider e d upon large and extended grounds. Lord ASHBURTON wished that the Noble Lord, in pro posing the Committee, had stated the precise objects he in. tended to bring under its consideration, and the benefits that were likely to be derived by the country from it. It was true, as the Noble Viscount had stated, that the whole subject would go before the Committee, to be dealt with in the largest sense ; but he (Lord Ashburton) was not very san guine of anything that Parliament could do. He was as much convinced as any man could be of the distress un d er which many portions of the agriculturists laboured; but at the same time he felt firmly convinced that little or nothing could be done for them by Parliament. He entirely concurred in the recommendation of the C ommittee of the House of Com mons, that relief was more like l y to be g i ven by the cautious forbearance of Parliament , tha n b y an y active means to be taken by it. The Noble Lord at the hea d of his Majesty's Government, the subject having been mentioned in his Majes. ty's Spee c h, c o u ld not do otherwise than adopt the course he had done. lle hoped, however, it would not be supposed that Parliament could do any good. No Noble Lord could bring forward any imaginable measure which Parliament could adopt, that would relieve the agricultural i n t eres t a ._-__ (Hear.) When the Noble Viscount stated that this question would be laiTely and genertilly gone into by the Committee, kp should feel. :sonic ankiety it the Committee thOueht proper try deal with,gre4t queition: white); tti hts qi.ttlotii bad not he s t i g nt est bearing on tie agricultural interest of the country ; viz. the currency and standard as it at present stood. ism - , near.) an his there riQver,was it dc -1 plott Draeltiged thou In,the"stat6itietit i tliat it had the elightemt lizsiori to It had riti iriore 46 au it ilib dKtiSsed tt.* of agrieultiire. ban an other portiofi of the li?t 1 ) 4 40, 8f T tiCr6 riCipr was a more wild or absurd notion than that ‘Viiin *d'.? filo a d Par liament cotild be induced to ati act of such eonsurnmate tne taiie ind,had taith; iis taaikrink with. tho Cikrency of the rtitidtry,thei the. yet4.ltl not be inbred. Another opi nidn that prerailerl was; that the proteCtion to ilid fitrthet under kekent err was' faiiiefr ink/Hods than otherivite: He t P.tli 4ri4 kUi:l cif toiattary oiwiton: It • • (I • was clear to him that upon the currency of ilia edYi - ttry aisting as it did at the present moment, depended the best interests ttl . the fafthrf. The Earl of WIN C IL gg A itie,i4oble Lard placed badhis name on the.list of the Committee begged that it might be withdrawn, ag ltd VEO4 one of those who laboured under the delusion that the currency had a very glatefial beating upon the question, though he would not say entirely: lie tint the last man in the world who wished to dlief the currency of the country so as to affect public credit ; but he firmly be lieved that upon its alteration depended the removal of many of the distresses under which the agriculturists laboured. If, therefore, the question of the currency was to be excluded from the consideration of the Committee, he begged that his name might be withdrawn from it. Lord ASHBURTON said that he had never suggested that 'the consideration of that subject should be omitted. In deed it was his anxious wish that it should be fully discussed and settled. All that he was anxious for was, that it should not go forth to the world that the state of the currency was tire chief cause of agricultural distress, or that Parlia ment, by any measure, could afford it any kind of relief. He thought it desirable, under all circumscances, to go into Committee ; but it was absolutely necessary - that the country should understand that very little was to be expected from these deliberations, and the agricultural interest most make up their minds, if they expected any thing of importance to be done for them, to meet with a very great - disappointment. —(Hear.) tie thought that the Committee would take into consideration the repeal of the Corn Laws. He would vote for such a Committee most cordially, and why ? Because in the first place the Corn Laws as a protection to the landed interest, had entirely failed ; and in addition, there was this objection to them that they were a monopoly, and thiL - ', never was a monopoly known to be attended with any matelV advantage ; on the contrary, there was scarcely any that had: not failed. He regretted that the Noble Lord (Wynford)had not stated any remedy for the distress that was allowed to prevail ; and, in conclusion, he warned the agricultural interest not to expect too much from the proposed Committee. After a few words from the Earl of WINCHIL SE A, Lord WYNFORD replied. He had proposed only that which his Majesty's Speech recommended, and that which, acting on this recommendation, the other House of Parliament had adopted. He had not proposed any remedy—if he had, he should have stated the remedy which he proposed—it was only when they had all the facts before them that they could adopt any efficient remedy. He felt that great relief might be extended to the agricultural interest—they only wanted to have equal justicedone them. The Noble concluded by moving for the proposed Committee. The motion was agreed to, and the Committee appointed. AFFAIRS OF SPAIN. Viscount MEL BOURNE, in answer to a question from the Marquis of Londonderry, said that he had no objection to lay on the table of the House any documents which the Noble Marquis might move for, respecting the twenty-seven prisoners which bad been taken by the Queen of Spain's Government. He could state that these prisoners had been removed from San tander to Corunna to protect them from danger. The Marquis of LONDONDERRY then gave notice that he would move to-morrow for the documents referred to. The House then adjourned. HOUSE OF COMMONS, FF,ERuAItr 13. The SPEAKER took the Chair at four o'clock, when Colonel Anson was introduced by Sir John Wrottesley and Sir A. Leith Hay. After taking the oaths, he took his seat for Stoke-upon-Trent, in the room of Mr. Heathcote, who had accepted the Chiltern Hundreds. GRAVESEND RAILWAY. Sir W. GEARY brought in a Bill for making a Railway from Greenwich to Gravesend.—Read a first time. Mr. VILLIERS STUART presented a petition from two individuals residing in Carrick-on-Suir, praying that the time for presenting petitions for private Bills be extended, in their favour, to the 2d of March. 'Mr. P. M. STEWART presented a petition, praying for a Bill to consolidate the Water-work Companies in Glasgow: Lord G. LENNOX presented a petition from the, Lord Lieutenant, Magistrates, and Freeholders of Sussex, praying for a Bill to discontinue Horsham gaol. Mr. BARNARD :presented a petition from Deptford, for leave to bring in a Bill to form a branch railway from Deptford to Greenwich. MISREPRESENTATIONS OF mEmaeits. Dr. BOWRING begged to call the attention ofthe House to an extraordinary, though he had no doubt unintentional, misrepresentation of circumstances which had occurred yes terday. It would be in the recollection of the House, that on the presentation of a public petition by the Hon. Member for Essex, with respect to the Corn 'Laws, he had made a single observation ; but, upon the Speaker suggesting to him that debates on the presentation of petitions would be incon venient, he sat down, submitting to the authority of the Chair. In a newspaper of this morning he found however the follow- , ing statement : The Speaker interrupted the Hon. Member, and put it to the House whether it was discreet or proper to raise a discussion on the simple preientation of a petition, the subject matter of which had been referred to a Select Committee ? Dr. Bowring sat down amidst shouts of laughter." He (Dr. Bowring) would put it to the Speaker to say whether there was one word of truth in that statement ? He was not an advocate for curtailing the liberties of the press. Let the press state facts, and they would never find opposition from him. The newspaper to which he referred was the Morning Post. The SPEAKER was about proceeding with the routine busi ness, when Dr. BOWRING again rose, and said he should be glad that the Speaker should state whether he was nus•rcported.— (Cries of " Oh, oh.") The SPEAKER, after a pause, said that he certainly did put it to the lion. Member whether it was expedient to enter upon a discussion on the presentation of a petition, the subject of which was under the consideration of a Select Com mittee. Sir JOHN TYRRELL said there was very little difference between the explanation and what the Hon. Member (Dr. J 3.) complained of. LONDON UNIVERSITY. Mr. WAKLE Y presented a petition from Mr. Alexander Emmerton, A.M., of the University of Oxford, complaining that the privilege of conferring Degrees according to the terms of the new Charter was to be confined to two school.. The lion. Member reminded the House that a resolution was adopted in April last, agreeing tis an address to the Crown, praying that a charter might be granted to establish a Uni versity in consequence of the exclusion of Dissenters from the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Now, while he ( Mr. Wakley) wished to tee the abuses of those Univer sities corrected, he wished not to see another monopoly erected, which would prejudice the interests of those two Universities. Was it right that the contents of the charter should be sealed and private, after the manner of Star Chamber legislation ? He regretted that the Chancellor of the Exchequer was not in his place to explain to the House the terms of this charter; but he thought the House should require a copy of it to be left on the table. Mr. TOOKE apprehended that the petition was founded on an erroneous supposition, that the privilege of confer ring Degrees was to be confined to two schools ; whereas in point of fact the examiners bad the power under the charter to extend the privilege to such other schools as they might think fit. DISSENTERS' RELIEF BILL. Mr, Sergeant TALFOURD presented a petition from Reading in favour of the measure for the relief of Dissenters. The petition was signed by 100 members of the congregation, and he wished to call the attention of the House to it, as being a specimen of the feeling with which the two Bills about to be passed by his Majesty's Government were received by the Dissenters. Mr. WALTER bore testimony to the respectability of the petitioners. TITHES-IRELAND. Mr. SHARMAN CRAWFORD presented a petition from the Rev. William Handcock, rector of the parish of Clontarf, county Dublin. The petition prayed for the abolition of that system of tithes which tended to excite the prejudices of the p eo ple against the Established Church. He complained of the determination expressed by the Legislature to bind that system upon the poor of Ireland. Much of the oppo. sitiou to tithes in that country arose from their mode of appro priation, rather than their amount, and if a different appro priation were agreed upon, they would be cheerfully paid. The petitioner wished that the tithes should be vested in the Commissioners of National Education—first, for the purpos e o f satisfying the existing claims of Ecclesiastical and Lay Tithe Proprietors ; secondly, for the decent . maintenance o f the Protestant religion in Ireland ; and, thirdly, to provid e for the wants of the Clergy of all denominations of the Christian religion there, whose numbers entitled them to it—the surplus, if any, to be applied to the purpos es of National Education. Mr. F. SHAW denied that the petition expressed the senti ments of the Protestant clergy of Ireland. SPIRIT DUTIES. Mr. H UTT presented a petition from Hull, complaining of the encreased duty on Spirit Licenses. He cordially su p porte d the prayer of the petition. Colonel THOMPSON suppor ted the prayer of the peti tion, which be, as well as his Hon. Colleague, knew to p be founded in justice. He knew that the licensed victuallers were a most oppressed body, both in their public and political capacity. NOVA SCOTIA. Mr. ROBINSON gave notice that, On Thursd a y nex t, h e wou ld present a petition from the merchants and other inha bitants of Nova Scotia, against any alteration in the timber duties. MR. BUCKINGHAM'S CLAIMS Mr. TOOKE presented a petition from the merchants and other inhabitants of Truro, praying the House to take consi deration of the claims of Mr. Buckingham on the East India Company. NEWSPAPER STAMP DUTIES. Mr. E. ,STRUTT presented a petition from Derby, very' numerously signed, in favour of the abolition of the Stamp Eitita . fie t } mi2f7,ht that the continuance or those duties was inconstl!tfi 1 1 .):;e nripelples•profess( d by his Majesty's Government. The lion. pre-: E , ritcd a petition from the Independent Dissenters of DerLY, prdylng . to be relieved from the grievances they were subject to at ptegeni.-. RkCOGNIZANGES..—(IIMLAND.) Sir E: COOPER moved for Returns from the Clfrks of the 4 Pease in Ireland for the anintint of estreated recomnitances in tretalld [luring the years 1833 and and the sums of, money paid in respect of 16 same. POOR LAW BILL: Sir 1 VERNEY presented a petition from Bucking t* praying the ilotis tH F:7P tend the time for the painent.9fAvply spent in building workhousdg, Mider the provisions.9t-Tifeii . kiti Poor Law Act, from ten to twenty 3 eafg4 PUBLIC WORKS—IRELAN-o.—. Mr: COOPER. asked whether it was the intention of his Majesty's Government to increase the sum granted for tke -Boapti a- Public Works in 'lreland. - 'rho CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER begged leave in reply to the question, to give notice of his intention to bring iti a Dill on the subject. TITHES---LIRELAND. Lord )10 Upg 71. 1 . j. gave notice that on the 25th of March he slicvq rit,,ve that that p - a f! of his Majesty's Speechrela ting to the sctildfirt t)f the Ti t h e I ,_:stion in Ireland should be read and taken into con4tii3rotin by the ;Luse*. • . • CONSTABULARY BILL—,:SRKLANI). Lord MORPETH—Sir, I do not thin!! it necessa;v to trouble the House at any great length upon the aubjeCt which I shall now propose for their consideration, because the Bill which I shall introduce differs but little from that which I brought forward last Session, and which passed this House without a division, and I might say almost with the unanimous consent of every Member, Besides, there will be ample time for the consideration of the details. Why that measure did not pass the other branch of the Legislature, I have not been able to ascertain ; its leading features were merely derived from the provisions of Bills introduced by members of former Adminis tfations, nor will it answer any good purpose now to inquire into the nititiices by which the other House of Parliament was actuated, in refusing iti pass the measure. But among ether reasons, the late period of did acisaion was urged, and I now, by bringiug- it again forward thus early, nlsh to obviate that objection. I hope it will meet with the .approliation of all classes ; for I can say that it has no party tendency; and I trust it will therefcre go forward under happier auspices than before. The Bill which I purpose to introduce differs only from that of last year, that it repeals the-laws by which the constabulary and present peace establishment arc formed, and this not with a view of suppressing these bodies which, with a . few drawbacks, have been found to work well for the country, but in order that a sufficient force should be esta blished under one improved and general system. We have provided for the continuance of the present force until the new one is organized. The Dill will enable the Lord Lieutenant, instead of four Irspectora.General who now have the chief regulation of the police force in the four provinces— it will enable him to appoint an Inspee!or-General to provide for the regulation and general management or !he police force, and under him there are to be tWe DepUty luspertors. It vests in the Inspector-General, subject to the approbation of the Lord Lieutenant, the power of making rules and regu lations for the government of the police force. Without entering into the minutiae of existing statutes, these will be regulations better adapted to the present time.—( Hear, hear.) It enables the Lord Lieutenant to appoint county inspectors, and under them sub-inspectors, as well as a per son to act as paymaster, storekeeper, and in the three largest counties—Cork, Galway, and Tipperary—two of these offi cers. It places the appointment of police constables, whether chief or sub-constables, in the hands of the Government; and this is the most.material alteration in the Dill, transferring that power from the lqcal magistracy to the government. It is a eve ry material one, but I humbly subunit that it is a very important and judicious one.—(Hear, hear.) The Bill proposes that the Lord Lieutenant shall have the power to - augment the police force according to the necessity of the case. This will supersede all the cumbrous machinery which is now obliged to be resorted to whenever a district was to be proclaimed, and will enable him in like manner to dimi nish the number cf the police force with a corresponding ra pidity. With respect to the transferring the appointment of the police force from the local magistracy to the general Go vernment, that appointment will be nominal, inasmuch as the Inspector-General will have the actual appointment. I con tend, that such an officer as the Inspector-General will be able to exercise a much more careful and much more unbiassed choice, than could be expected from such a numerous body as the Local Magistracy. Without imputing any improper mo tives to that body, or without ascribing to them any other po litical feelings than would exist in any equally numerous body of the same station in society, the Inspec tor-General will, I apprehend, Sir, be influenced by motives much more unbiassed, his only object being to make his force as.. efficient as possible. As a proof that the pre sent system of appointment is not the most adviseable, I have known many instances of magistrates having voluntarily divested themselves of that power of appointment, and giving it to the Government, and I believe it has been found that they have not repented parting with that power. I heard only two days ago that five men who had been recently recommended to the Police force, had distinctly admitted themselves that they did belong to a secret political society ; and I find within the last three months, in the four provinces of Ireland, there have been dismissed constables and sub-constables upon that single ground, in the province of Ulster 16, in the province of Leinster al, in the province of Munster 30, and in the province of Connaught 19 ; so that in the whole of Ire land within this short period 96 constables and sub-constables have been dismissed for belonging to secret societies.., This measure, I trust, will prevent such a disgrace from _again resulting to the public service. It is proposed to estab. lish a supernumerary reserved corps, who should be called in on special occasions to the assistance of the permanent force. The Bill will impose- upon the whole force the usual oath prescribed by the Coustabulary Act, with this addition, that they are not members of any secret or political so ciety.—( Hear, hear.) It will empower magistrates to fine constables in a penalty of 51. who may be guilty of a neglect of duty. It will render necessary the meeting of the super numerary corps at certain periods for inspection, in order th at they may . be instructed in their duties ; and it is proposed to make all the appointments for the permanent force from this body. The Lord Lieutenant is'to be empowered to remove the force from one county to another. He will have also the power of appointing stipendiary magistrates, a class of men who have been found extremely useful in preserving the public peace and administering public justice.. With respect to the sala ries of these officers, it is proposed that that shall be left to the decision of the Committee. By another provision of the Bill, 2/. 10s. per cent. is to be deducted from the sala ries of the force to be applied to a superannuation fund ; and also a sum of 10s. per cent, to be applied to the police reward fund.—( Hear, hear.) The object of this fund is to reward those whose conduct would entitle them to particular distinction. These are the main features of the Bill - I have the honour to submit, and I confidently hope that it will be found an improvement upon the ex isting system ; that it will render the constabulary force more effective ; and that it will tend to the preservation of the public peace, I therefore, Sir, beg to move for leave to bring in a Bill to amend the constabulary force in Ireland. Colonel CONNOLLY did not rise to object to the measure, but he thought there were some parts which at their first sound would necessarily excite the apprehension of the magistracy of Ireland, considering the course which his Majesty's Government had chosen to adopt in Ireland, where they bad made the execu tive government, he might almost say, subservient to the sys tem of agitation that had prevailed in that country for many years. Though he himself did not look upon it with appre hension, he could not look upon it otherwise than with dis trust, seeing that a large and respectable body, with whom no fault had been found for a series of years, who were now maturing in their organization, and improving in their general knowledge of their country, were now to be dispersed and removed, and a totally new system adopted without any grounds having been stated. The Noble Lord had terminated his speech by saying, that he hoped the system would be economical—if it were economical, that would not justify such a great change : but he (Col. C.) apprehended the result would be other than economical. IK did object on Constitutional grounds to making that great force which ought to be amenable to the magistracy of the country altogether independent of them. He bad been a magistrate for many years, and he thought that cotuse had been adopted in Ireland too much already, because the placing of that body on a footing independent - of the magis tracy could not fail to be pernicious to the magistracy and in jurious to the community. He thought there were v ar i ous parts of the enactment objectionable.. He should watch with great jealousy the diversion of that power from the hands of those in whom he thought it ought to be legitimately placed, and placing it in the hands of those from whom they had the worst consequences to apprehend. He, however, agreed to the su perannuation, as he thought that was nothing but fair. Mr. LUCAS thought there was sufficient power already in the bands of the Lord Lieutenant. The magistrates of his own county had bad two meetings on that subject, and he knew that he was speaking the sentiments of most of the resi dent gentry and landlords of the county, when he said that the magistracy was the constitutional body to appoint. The police force were paid partly out of the general fund, but also partly out of the funds raised from the estates of the gentry, and be thought they were the proper parties in whose hands their appointment ought to rest. There was this recommendation also, the local magistracy were all resident ; and, of course, being acquainted with the parties, were the proper persons in whose hands the appointment ought to rest.—( Hear. ) He must protest against the appointment of constables being taken from the resident local magistracy and landlords, to be put into the hands of the military power. He Was old fa shioned enough to think that the magistrates were the more constitutional authorities--( Cheers). The gentry of Ireland had indeed fallen low when they were not thought worthy of hold ing such a power by that House or by the Government. He protested against such a doctrine, in the name of the magistracy and of the gentry of Ireland, and on behalf of the whole empire, for he was sure they were not inferior to the gentry of England, or any country in Europe.— (" Hear" and cheers.) Though he did not agree with the Government in politics, still he opposed this measure upon oth er grounds. He could not for one consent that the forc e upon which d e p en d e d t h e t ra nquillity of Ireland, should be hung and dan g l e d roun d the neck of any Secretary for Ire.. land.—( Cheers. ) Lord CLEMENTS wished to say a few words in answer to Ivhat had fallen from the Hon. Gentleman who had nov,- sat down. The Honourable Gentleman had designated the gentry of Ireland as an unfortunate race, and said th6.Goverarnenf stenteal to take from them the remains.,°oll t! once great power. Ile denied that the taking fii'de ti en of thia !sower of nominating constables, would slegr's,.l them in any WRY. Iri the province in which he (Lord retailed, the Magistracy lipid already given up this Pen e s, of appointment into the hands of Major Warble_ end iltey fladssever found that they had been in any wsY b e r graded, nof tide flits Itrid fault with the appointments madetcli Prim.—( Hear, heat', hew.) He was informed that , s s ', o had been done also in Monster, and the plan had l' e s - „ 0 found to answer very well.—(Hear.) This being the c, 1 ,1 1 the display of the lion. Gentleman opposite was quite unca"'" for. How stood the case in this city ? Did they find the °Pi pointmcnt of the police in the hands of the Magistrates t 0 Bow-street ? No—the power was lodged where it otigh t be—in the hands of those who governed and commanded the% He had never heard that Major 'Warburton had ref u . s h e i to take into consideration the recommendation of, no local magistracy, and the Gentlemen opposite h ad right to suppose that their representations would be unatte_ ded to. He (Lord Clements) thought it was a calmly'', upon the Irish Government to say that they wished to disr,e o gard the gentlemen of Ireland; and he believed the o pposi_i rt i% to the measure was the; effect of a party policy, and of tactic. Sir ROBERT BATE SON, as an Irish gentleman, W il d a not sit still when he heard the Irish magistrates comPtt, r o e s , to those of Bow-street.—Hear, hear.) Nor could he a"sos the assertion of the Noble Lord to go u s:contradicted' the opposition to the measure was the result of party ne:old or feeling.—( Hear, hear, hear.) In the very calm nand s sensible speech of the Member for Monaghan, there Ti an — sa d syllable that could be construed into party spirit; .rid lid (Sir Robert Bateson) agreed with him, that it irr' o ,s be impolitic to place in the hands of the present, or ad other Government, the power proposed by the I 3 n' did not wish to see the Constabulary force r° " o , vertcd into a sort of gcns d'armerie, without any c e nt troul on the part of the local magistracy. The Prose, Government were doing everything they could to take , geo i control of the police out of the hands of the resident He did not wish to place that power in any chief . consta ble tn inspector-4 Hear)—whether appointed by the present or I n a i s other Government. They had heard one of them declare tnst lie knew of no party but one—the Orange party—althoug h e 0 the time he was surrounded by Ribbon Associations, and othe t, of an illegal nature. Either he was so blinded or so iglin ra rs , ll that he was unable to distinguish the fact. It should be colleted, that the one-half of the expense was at P oi sent borne by the country; and if the local magistr a .„; were deprived of all control, it was but fair that the en to should be paid out of the Consolidated Fund. As b g the benefit of sLioendiary magistrates he thoquo they were of no lien; fit at all in his part of we, country. He told the House that it was the object of the Prhe sent Government to make the police a party force, and f i e should state a circumstance in proof of his assertion. La complained of a su b- cons t a ble t o his officer, and rettni`; that She should be reported to the Inspector of the provil d The officer said h e was a man o f b a d c h arac t er ; that he c o. not be trusted, and that he was a Roman Catholic ; s h e i s as he (the officer) could n o t we ll a ff or d to in!e ob, place, he could not report him as desired.—( Cries Of be oh," and " Name, name.") He stated it as a fact, ?in' o f would not give the. Gentlemen opposite the gratificatio n . naming the individual of whom he spoke.—('" Oh, ou' t After that specimen of the impartiality o f th e Govern he was not to be wondered at as objecting to giving fa rt .." - a power to the persons who ruled the Government in irel— or in that House. Mr. O'CONNELL said the Honourable G e ntleill had taken leave to gi v e the name of Sir Frede ri c a Storen, but with his usual, impartiality he refu s b , to give that of the officer with whom (Sir R. Bateson) was in communication. He gave the nsw tt , of the accused, but no t o f th e accuser . He took care mention the name of the accused, but he carefully collect. it the name of the accuser. N ow , if t hi s stor y wa s true-- 3 ` b i s was not a perfect delusion on th e p ar t o f th e Honour s r a Gentleman—ought he to be p erm itt e d t o reta i n o ffice , d a single hour ?—( Hear, hear.) The Government is assai i l e because it is the first Government th a t ever did j us tice to : e l e i ; land.—(Cileers.) I don't know whether this measure will sa served by my support.—(Hear, and a laugh.) Peebaror it would be more prudent for me to be silent; 40 to take my seat on the other side of the House. In ' e l county Kerry the Magistrates had voluntarily surrender , ° 0 . into the hands of Mayor Miller else power of appointing pet s to the police force for Clare, sand some other countal, in Ireland had done the same thing, end the greatest ad s r o 4 , tages were found to result from it.—( Bear.) In the r( place it did away with much village favouritism, and e ye 0 1 other species of improper influence, in the seleeticros constables. In the North, however, the magistrates hou adopted this course, and hence the Government found it cessary to take the matter into its own hands. In ° ne s t l e country as Ireland you ought never to leave power O O. hands of irresponsible persons. If you do, every it con' sequence must inevitably result from it and cheesno At New Ross two policemen had been lately dismissed. ° of them in a public- house had said before a crowd of perso.; " now for a bumper," and having filled a large glass, he € 3 ll, as a toast, " The pope in the pillory—the pill or y in be ) and the devil pelting him with popish p r i es t s ."—(L aug hte% Another gave as a toast, " May the ea rs o f a ll the papists„.o the parish be nailed to the chapel doors" —(mentioning h t ; in the parish)—" and th e c h ape l transplanted int° --ibut (Another laugh.) These men were dismissed' , hOl what remedy had the public against the Magistrates by 01 " -° „t, they were appointed ? lithe appointment lay in the Governnit% the moment such a charge was brought against them, the C e ti . ; sure of the House would ilave fallen on the Lord Lieutenants,, whom the appointment had been made. It had not been A' o , serted that any o f t h e mag i s t r ates o f I re l an d we re Ribbo 0 men, but he w ou ld b e g l a d t o k nov 7 how many of them W et Orangem en ?—(H ear .) W as i t not a f ac t th a t the P rin t ; cipal fun c ti onar i es o f t h e O range L o d ges i n 'l re land Is s e s s supplied from th e mag i s t r acy ? W ou ld it be contended tu t° the Grand Orange Lodge was the fittest body in whic h be i vest the appointment of the police ? If the power was in t . ts hands o f th e G overnmen t, th ere wou ld b e a responsibllbio which at present was not the case. He was glad that the question had been taken up by the present Government, w b . s s was the only one that had ever shown a disposition to do Jug' tice or act fairly towards Ireland.—( Cheers.) Mr. F. SHAW would not enter upon the general defe,nbc: of the Magistrates of Ireland on the present occasion, An si ° 0 , should presume that there were some observations of the P rl o b and Learned Member opposite (Mr. O'Connell) with 1 011 0 1 he in a great measure agreed, while with some for those put forward by the Honourable Member ) Monaglian he was rather inclined to differ.—(Hear' He was disposed to agree with the Hon. and Lem n ed Gen tl y" man opposite, that it was not altogether wise to place Po ll ) in th e h an d s o f an i rres p o n s ible body.—(Hear, bear, be a d But he could not agree with the observation of the Hon. 81 4 Learned Gentleman that the Member for Derry had brong forward a charge upon an anonymous authority-0 1 ° o His Hon. and Learned Friend had done no such thiM because he had given his own authority ; he had stated PI A. G. had made a communication to him personally, and be stated that upon his own authority. He (Mr. S. ) agreed to tit' part of the plan of the Noble Lord, which P r i e ; eluded all persons from belonging to the force were connected with secret societies ; but althoub j ", that system might be adopted in form, yet he s s „ convinced the app o i n t m ents would be made for political Ft ° poses. H e was one o f these who had never objected to 'tu appoi n t ment o f a R oman C at h o li c t o an office merely Ili cause he was a Roman Catholic, but he cons ide,.. o that the - appointment should not b e made, on account of P i o being a Roman Catholic.—(Hear, hear, lions all sides of the House.) He did not mean to give offence to any body, but , could not help observing a circumst a n ce w hi c f t bad tece nt i taken place in Ireland—namely, that there had been a ppoint% 34 new officers solicitors, for prosecuting a t th e quart er sessifils in Ireland; out of th ose 34, thi r t y were R oman Calliol; Looking to the state o f soc i e ty i n I re l an d, an d con sisier il l that individuals in that profession were generally well e ducat e he would ask whether that could have been a fair selection ? _ Lord JOHN RUSSELL wished to say a few words on tier subject s and in d o i n g s o h e wou ld take care to steer clear• t:" all difference between each party. He conceived the reaso nin' s! on which the Bill was founded was the inconvenience attendant 01; the organization of a constabulary force in Ireland. The force a' it at present existed was under four different Inspectors-Ge ne ' ral; all four- being independent of each other; therefor e ' adopting, as they thou g ht p ro p er , qu it e diff eren t sr' toms, each of them, however, corresponding with their 00 sub-inspectors a n d cons t a bl es. B y t h ese means, and t h e wan t of uniformity in the whole system, there was a g,eat accumn i ; lation of b us i ness at the seat of the Goveri2rnen t Ireland, which oug h t proper l y .to b e accomp li s h e d hY . ,hlO s e police. Anoth er o bj ect i on was, t h at part o f t h e Nl was appointed by the Inspector, and another part by the gistrates. The object of the Bill was to place in one InsP e s " o tor-General th e di re cti o n o f th e whole force ; that' P iz may organize it into one s y s t e m, and that he t make Leinster and Connaught ac t under the same rul es ; There had been some insinuations thrown out against most distinguished officer, a man of high military r e i potation. ( Hear, hear, hear ) He did 11(1 , believe that any person could say with truth any thiir i , whatever against that worthy Officer, and he was extrem ely sorry that any had been thrown out.--( Hear.) W„ l s 'i, respect to the force to be placed under an Inspector-Gen e 'iiis Government had been anxious to choose a man unconnected Is: 0 any party. For this purpose he had been in communicsit,Jed Bill, th e ps rr p t za l with a gentleman who had been most efficient in preservte,' im the peace of this country—he meant Colonel Shaw g e „ l 'il nedy. He had asked him whether he would take the comill n i, of the o tpolicfo disinclinedrc e in to a lr g e r l e a e r l l v , i a th nd th w e as pr v o e p r) o ' s g a l l a . h t. f h w e a a s r n .) Therefore if they were enabled —d t t( o ollfien p ad a r s : s ha:b :: : o t e ßy n A e a f l n o Td r e E K e e doubt but that he would discharge his duty with the titnitil tion to all parties.—( Hear, hear. ) sx e naioncntNerditellyesasxt:p, wouldso un country, andt e perso n there couldto be organ n,,,,ssoet explained. Sir the same time give oasis Sir R. PEEL rose chiefly for the purpose of confiril li g the testimony o f t h e Noble Lord opposite ( Lord John Russetl'r as to the hi g h c h aracter of Colonel Shaw Kennedy, an d lice l in eve r y respect distinguished for his gallantry. Co lon iz e Shaw Kenn e dy h a d b een t h e fi rst person to w h om he Sir Peel appli e d w h en the Metropo li tan Police Bill was nhof to be b roug h t i nto operat i on , an d hi s regret was on ly r n ' . ; tigated when that Gallant Officer declined the appointtrq he wi s h e d hi m to accept by the office having been so ad er : i i i; rably filled subsequently by Colonel Rowan, assisted by a , able coa dj utor , M r . M a y ne . H e h a d , t h ere f ore, grea t ture in healing that Colonel Sha w K enne dy was to be offer e id the appointment. Re hoped his Majesty's Government %NG ° s make it part of his duty to recommend, as he ought to r eel ° mend, all officers who were to serve under him, so that t